The council joined Dolly’s Imagination Library in 2021 to help children start school with stronger language and reading skills, as well as inspire a love of reading and strengthen parent-child bonding.
The programme is available in five Wirral wards – Bidston & St James, Birkenhead & Tranmere, Leasowe & Moreton East, Rock Ferry and Seacombe. It supports communities where it can make the biggest difference to children’s early language, communication and reading skills.
There are currently 2455 children signed up to the programme, which is delivered by Wirral Council’s Family Hubs, Foundation Years Trust and Koala North West.
The impact of Dolly’s Imagination Library in Wirral has been significant. The average cost of each book was £2.16 per book, saving families thousands of pounds.
Recent feedback from parents found that:
- 94% of children are trying to communicate more.
- 94% of parents are more confident in supporting their children’s communication & language development.
- 86% of children are accessing more resources and activities since receiving the books.
- 73% of parents read books to their child daily.
Meanwhile, three out of four primary schools in the Rock Ferry and Birkenhead & Tranmere wards saw an increased number of children reaching Good Levels of Development in 2024 compared to 2019.